Despite pockets of wealth, our borough suffers deep inequalities. The poverty rate is 30.5%, 38% of children are in income deprived families, 24% have free school meals & there are many NEET young people. These factors impact the likelihood of young people experiencing poor mental health, unemployment, low quality of work in later life, or involvement in criminal activity. Lockdown is detrimental to the already vulnerable status of the young people we support and is deepening inequalities.

We support young people and artists from all backgrounds in our community through creative drama programmes that them to create positive futures for themselves. We know that the skills we cultivate, including creativity, communication and mental wellbeing, will be important to young people as they emerge from a period of lockdown that is taking its toll. We believe that good society looks after one another, and that by supporting young people, we are supporting a better future for all.